CAA Creates System for Birdstrikes

Air Safety Week, Jan 14, 2008

The U.K.'s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has created a new online reporting system for birdstrikes.

Previously, airport and aircraft operators filed birdstrike reports by completing the CA1282 Birdstrike Occurrence Form, which is faxed or posted. The online reporting form is now available at: http://www.caa.co.uk/birdstrikereporting

Birdstrike reporting became mandatory in 2004. Since reporting was made mandatory, there has been a 67 per cent increase in the number of reports received and 1,780 reports were received in 2006. However the number of birdstrikes classified as 'serious' has remained unchanged, averaging 57 per annum. Modern aircraft engines are designed to be resistant to multiple strikes by birds of up to 5.5lbs in weight.

The new online reporting procedure will provide a more efficient way of managing the data received. "Prior to birdstrike reporting becoming mandatory, there was a large degree of under reporting. We believe that this automated procedure will make it quicker and easier for pilots and airport officials to file birdstrike reports. This will ensure that we have a more accurate record of birdstrike events that we can share with the industry in order to improve bird control procedures, the CAA believes.

UK airports have developed, together with the CAA, a series of programs to reduce the risk that birds pose within the airfield perimeter. Historically the biggest risk in the immediate vicinity of an aerodrome has been relatively smaller birds such as gulls.

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